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21 November 2005

Visit of theHoly FatherBenedict XVI

to Casina Pio IVto Honour theServant of GodJohn Paul II

VATICAN CITY2005

Welcoming Address to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI 5 Welcoming Address toHis Holiness Pope Benedict XVI 7 Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to theMembers of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy ofSocial Sciences 9 Additional Photographs 13

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ADEMIA

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Visit of theHoly Father Benedict XVI

to Casina Pio IVto Honour the Servantof God John Paul II

21 November 2005

VATICAN CITY2005

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NTIFICIAAC

ADEMIA

SCIENTIARVM

The ‘undisputed contribution’ of John Paul II to Christian thought ‘canbe understood as a profound meditation on the person’. This is whatBenedict XVI said to those taking part in the working group of the PontificalAcademy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences whomHis Holiness met in the morning of Monday, 21 November, in Casina PioIV, in the Vatican. The Holy Father was received by Bishop Msgr. MarceloSánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and ofthe Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Prof. Nicola Cabibbo, thePresident of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Mary AnnGlendon, the President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, gavethe following speeches of welcome to the Holy Father.

WELCOMING ADDRESSTO HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI

NICOLA CABIBBO

President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences

Your Holiness,

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is deeply honoured by yourpresence today for the dedication in this hall of a memorial to yourrevered predecessor, the Pope John Paul II. Not the least of the gifts ofJohn Paul II bestowed upon us was the revival of an ancient traditionwith the appointment of yourself and Cardinal Martini as members ofthe Academy. The presence among our number of illustrious Cardinals– and we have enjoyed for many years the presence of Father Cottierbefore he also became a Cardinal of the Church – is a living testimonyto the importance that the Church attaches to the pursuit of a fruitfuldialogue with the world of science.The inscriptions we are dedicating today only imperfectly remem-

ber the many contributions of John Paul II to the life of the PontificalAcademy of Sciences. During the twenty-seven years of his pontificate,John Paul addressed the Academy more than thirty times, on subjectsthat range from the frontiers of scientific knowledge to the role of sci-ence in ensuring the future of human life on the planet Earth and meet-ing the needs of the poorest populations.John Paul II will be remembered in the history of science for the

solemn conclusion in 1992 of the Galilei case, which followed anintense preparation that he had initiated in the first year of his pontifi-cate, an event that had a salutary effect in restoring the mutual under-standing and confidence between the world of science and the world ofreligion. A precious contribution to this dialogue was also representedby his Encyclical Fides et Ratio, a precious source of inspiration for layand religious students alike.On this occasion I will also remember the more practical contribu-

tions of John Paul II to the life of our Academy, including the beautifulrestoration of its seat, the generous support of our activities, and over theyears the appointment of more than a hundred Academicians. Not leastof the contributions of John Paul II is the institution in 1994 of the

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Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. We look forward to a fruitful col-laboration between the two Academies, a collaboration which was inau-gurated the last week with a very succesful joint meeting on Educationand Globalization.In concluding, I would also like to thank all the participants in this

dedication: the Cardinals, Bishops and Clergy, the members of thediplomatic body, the heads of many Academies, including the ItalianAccademia dei Lincei and the Accademia delle Scienze dei XL, and theheads of research institutions.

WELCOMING ADDRESSTO HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI

MARY ANN GLENDON

President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

Your Holiness,

The members of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences are delight-ed to join our sister Academy of Sciences and its President Dr. Cabibbo inwelcoming you. We are deeply honored by your presence among us today.For us social scientists, this gathering in memory of our beloved

John Paul II has special meaning. It was he who called our Academyinto being eleven years ago. It was he who encouraged us to bring thewisdom of the social sciences to bear on concrete social problems. Andit was he who charged us with responsibility to help ensure that ‘socialdoctrines do not ignore the spiritual nature of human beings …’.1

By founding this Academy, your predecessor challenged us to over-come the separations that often stand in the way of effective collabora-tion among the disciplines concerned with the human person. As westrive to meet that challenge, Holy Father, we are mindful of your ownwarnings about the encroachments of relativism. For we must admitthat the social sciences have contributed more than a little to theprogress of relativistic attitudes. Yet reason tells us that commonground among the human sciences must not be found in attitudes thatdeny the existence of truth. For if there is no truth, there is no sure prin-ciple of justly ordering social relations.It thus seems fitting that this week the Academy is reflecting upon

a topic that was always close to the heart of John Paul II, and central toCatholic social thought: the concept of the human person. As we do so,we cannot help but recall his passionate insistence that:

Man remains above all a being who seeks the truth and strivesto live in that truth, deepening his understanding of it through adialogue which involves past and future generations.2

1 John Paul II, Address to Participants in the Sixth Plenary Session of thePontifical Academy of Social Sciences (2000), 1.

2 Centesimus Annus, 49.

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This week we also mark a milestone in our ongoing studies ofdemocracy with the publication of a volume titled, ‘Democracy inDebate: The Contribution of the Pontifical Academy’. On behalf of thedirector of our democracy project, Professor Hans Zacher, and theentire membership of the Academy, I hope you will do us the honor ofaccepting the first copy of this book.Holy Father, as our Academy looks to the future, we are eager to

have your guidance concerning the ways we may continue to fulfil themissions for which this body was created. The epigraphs that you ded-icate today will keep those missions before our eyes. They will remindus that we are part of a living tradition. They will strengthen our resolveto be worthy of those who have gone before us, even as we prepare theway for those who will come after us.As for the bronze likeness that you dedicate today, that kindly face

we loved so well will be a constant reminder to all of us to ‘Be notafraid’ to press the frontiers of human knowledge. It will remind us tobe not afraid to listen to what modern science has to teach us aboutourselves and the world around us. And, above all, it will remind us tobe not afraid in the quest for social justice.

The Holy Father then gave the following address:

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVITO THE MEMBERS OF THE PONTIFICAL

ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND THE PONTIFICALACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to extend my warm greetings to all those taking part in thisimportant gathering. In a special way I wish to thank Professor NicolaCabibbo, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, andProfessor Mary Ann Glendon, President of the Pontifical Academy ofSocial Sciences, for their words of welcome. I am also happy to greetCardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, Cardinal Carlo MariaMartini and Cardinal Georges Cottier, who has always been very dedi-cated to the work of the Pontifical Academies.I am particularly pleased that the Pontifical Academy of Social

Sciences has chosen ‘the concept of the person in social sciences’ as thesubject to be examined this year. The human person is at the heart ofthe whole social order and consequently at the very centre of your fieldof study. In the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the human person ‘sig-nifies what is most perfect in nature’ (S.Th., I, 29, 3). Human beings arepart of nature and, yet, as free subjects who have moral and spiritualvalues, they transcend nature. This anthropological reality is an integralpart of Christian thought, and responds directly to the attempts to abol-ish the boundary between human sciences and natural sciences, oftenproposed in contemporary society.Understood correctly, this reality offers a profound answer to the

questions posed today concerning the status of the human being. This isa theme which must continue to be part of the dialogue with science. TheChurch’s teaching is based on the fact that God created man and womanin his own image and likeness and granted them a superior dignity and ashared mission towards the whole of creation (cf. Gen 1 and 2).

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According to God’s design, persons cannot be separated from thephysical, psychological or spiritual dimensions of human nature. Eventhough cultures change over time, to suppress or ignore the nature thatthey claim to ‘cultivate’ can have serious consequences. Likewise, indi-viduals will only find authentic fulfilment when they accept the genuineelements of nature that constitute them as persons.The concept of person continues to bring about a profound under-

standing of the unique character and social dimension of every humanbeing. This is especially true in legal and social institutions, where thenotion of ‘person’ is fundamental. Sometimes, however, even when this isrecognized in international declarations and legal statutes, certain cul-tures, especially when not deeply touched by the Gospel, remain strong-ly influenced by group-centred ideologies or by an individualistic andsecularist view of society. The social doctrine of the Catholic Church,which places the human person at the heart and source of social order,can offer much to the contemporary consideration of social themes.It is providential that we are discussing the subject of the person as

we pay particular honour to my venerable predecessor, Pope John PaulII. In a way, his undisputed contribution to Christian thought can beunderstood as a profound meditation on the person. He enriched andexpanded the concept in his Encyclicals and other writings. These textsrepresent a patrimony to be received, collected and assimilated withcare, particularly by the Pontifical Academies.It is, therefore, with gratitude that I avail myself of this occasion to

unveil this sculpture of Pope John Paul II, flanked by two memorialinscriptions. They remind us of the Servant of God’s special interest inthe work of your Academies, especially the Pontifical Academy ofSocial Sciences, founded by him in 1994. They also point to his enlight-ened readiness to reach out in a dialogue of salvation to the world ofscience and culture, a desire which is entrusted in a particular way tothe Pontifical Academies. It is my prayer that your activities will con-tinue to produce a fruitful interchange between the Church’s teachingon the human person and the sciences and social sciences which yourepresent. Upon all present on this significant occasion, I invoke abun-dant divine blessings.

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During the meeting that took place in Casina Pio IV, Benedict XVIinaugurated a sculpture of John Paul II which on either side has twoseparate commemorative inscriptions that bear witness to the late Pope’sspecial interest in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the PontificalAcademy of Social Sciences. This last was founded by him in 1994. Thefollowing, amongst others, were present: Cardinal Angelo Sodano, theSecretary of State, Cardinal Etchegary, Cardinal Re, Cardinal Szoka,Cardinal Marchisano, Cardinal Law, Cardinal Cottier, Cardinal Martini;Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, Substitute of the Secretariat of State,Archbishop Viganò, Archbishop Vegliò, Archbishop Celli, ArchbishopNowak, Archbishop Ryllko, Archbishop Foley, Archbishop Romeo,Archbishop Marini, Archbishop Levada, Archbishop Minnerath; ArchbishopHarvey; Bishop Boccardo; President Conso, President Scarascia Mugnozza,President Noth, President Balducci; Rector Ornaghi; Minister Lunardi;Professor Malinvaud, Professor Arber, Professor Schambeck, ProfessorGermain, Professor Archer, Professor Rubbia, Professor Raga, ProfessorLevi-Montalcini, Professor Betancur, Professor Rémond, Professor LeDouarin, Professor Suchocka, Professor Menon, Professor Zacher, ProfessorZubrzycki, Professor Villacorta, Professor Battro, Professor Llach, ProfessorVymetalík, Professor Skubiszewski, Dr. Dr. Batliner, Professor Zulu,Professor Murray, Professor Ramirez, Professor Fumagalli Carulli, ProfessorDonati, Professor Mittelstrass, Professor Possenti, Professor Ryan, ProfessorGriegel, Professor Gonzalez de Cardedal; Ambassador Westdickenberg,Ambassador Morel, Ambassador Escobar-Herrán, Ambassador Türk; Msgr.Gänswein, Msgr. Schooyans, Msgr. De Nicolò, Father Coyne, Father Farina,Father Pagano; Dr. Strimitzer; Justice McNally; and Sculptor Borghi.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS

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VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI TO CASINA PIO IV 15

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VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI TO CASINA PIO IV 17

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VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI TO CASINA PIO IV 19

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VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI TO CASINA PIO IV 21

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I am particularly pleased that the Pontifical Academyof Social Sciences has chosen ‘the concept of the personin social sciences’ as the subject to be examined this year.The human person is at the heart of the whole social orderand consequently at the very centre of your field of study.In the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the human person‘signifies what is most perfect in nature’ (S.Th., I, 29, 3).Human beings are part of nature and, yet, as free subjectswho have moral and spiritual values, they transcendnature. This anthropological reality is an integral part ofChristian thought, and responds directly to the attempts toabolish the boundary between human sciences and natu-ral sciences, often proposed in contemporary society.

Understood correctly, this reality offers a profoundanswer to the questions posed today concerning the statusof the human being. This is a theme which must continue tobe part of the dialogue with science. The Church’s teachingis based on the fact that God created man and woman inhis own image and likeness and granted them a superiordignity and a shared mission towards the whole of creation(cf. Gen 1 and 2).

... It is providential that we are discussing the subjectof the person as we pay particular honour to my venera-ble predecessor, Pope John Paul II. In a way, his undisput-ed contribution to Christian thought can be understood asa profound meditation on the person. He enriched andexpanded the concept in his Encyclicals and other writ-ings. These texts represent a patrimony to be received,collected and assimilated with care, particularly by thePontifical Academies.

Benedict XVI, Address to the Members of the PontificalAcademy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy ofSocial Sciences, 21 November 2005.